Special Election Dates Set to Replace Coburn

The special election to replace Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., will take place concurrent with the regularly scheduled 2014 primary and general elections, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallinannounced Friday.

The primary will be held June 24, a runoff would be Aug. 26, and the general will be Nov. 4. The timeline ensures that the Sooner State will not have to spend extra funds to choose the two-term senator’s replacement.

Coburn announced late Thursday night that he will resign at the end of the 113th Congress. His exit will likely set off a crowded and competitive primary for the seat in this solidly Republican state.

The fiscal hawk had previously said he would retire at the end of his second term in 2016. His decision to leave earlier than that came after he was diagnosed with cancer again, but Coburn said the reason for his exit was not his health.